‘That Awkward Moment,’ ‘Labor Day’: Review Revue

This week at the multiplex, we’ve got bros in love (“That Awkward Moment,” starring Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan) and a family-oriented fugitive (“Labor Day,” starring Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet). Find out what the critics have to say on Rotten Tomatoes.
“That Awkward Moment”

If you’ve had your fill of movies featuring young women griping about their relationship woes, you’re in luck: “That Awkward Moment” is a movie featuring dudes griping about their relationship woes. Unfortunately, critics say that’s about all that distinguishes this romantic comedy, which saddles its talented young cast with a predictable plot and a shortage of witty lines. It’s the story of three friends (Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, and Miles Teller) who make a pact to stay single — that is, until each of them find themselves grappling with potential relationships. “That Awkward Moment” is currently at 23 percent on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer; check out some of the reviews here:

Rotten: “More grating than peppy, the Manhattan-set romantic comedy ‘That Awkward Moment’ proceeds as a series of awkward moments in search of a premise and a protagonist a little less stupid.” — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Rotten: “A rom-com for dudes that seeks to outdo the ladies by being even more insipid, formulaic and contrived than anything Katherine Heigl has ever done.” — Kyle Smith, New York Post

Rotten: “The title refers to that moment when you realize you accidentally purchased a ticket to it.” –Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press

Even the most preposterous scenario can be redeemed by a strong cast and a carefully sustained tone. Sadly, despite the best efforts of its leads, “Labor Day” fails to rise above its contrived premise. Josh Brolin stars as Frank, a convicted killer who escapes from prison and takes Adele (Kate Winslet), a depressed single mother, hostage in her own home. Over a long weekend, Adele falls for Frank, who takes up a position as the man of the house. “Labor Day” is currently at 38 percent on the Tomatometer; here’s a rundown of the reviews:

Rotten: “It looks swell, and Winslet adds another portrait of pained watchfulness to her gallery of suffering heroines, but the result feels like a richly implausible dream disguised as a soulful drama.” — Anthony Lane, New Yorker

Fresh: “The tortured yet growing familial relations, explanatory flashbacks, and too swiftly moving story shouldn’t really work. Somehow they all do, and the whole is even more than the sum of the parts.” — Louis Black, Austin Chronicle

Fresh: “This confounding film might be too roughly textured for mass consumption, but for audiences who aren’t bound by expectations, the labor of chewing it over will be rewarded.” — Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch